Medicare - Library and Web Sources Comparison

One difference you probably noticed between searching Google and the library databases is the number of results you found in each. Typically, a Google or other Web search will find many more results than a library database search, but finding more results does not necessarily make it the better search.

A library database can help you target your search more quickly and find the information you need more efficiently because a library database:

• Searches pre-selected materials that already went through a review process
• Might be a subject database indexing only resources in a specific area of study
• Can easily limit your search to only academic journals
• Offers special search options and subject headings to further narrow your search
• Provides access to full text articles

The Web is great for finding current information on a topic such as medicare. It can lead you to government information on policies and programs as well as organizations/associations' reports and popular opinion. Many search engines such as Google also have some advanced features to assist you in creating more effective searches such as doing a domain search for information found only on .gov sites.

Using the Web and the library databases in tandem can help you find a rich array of sources for your research. The information on medicare from the U.S. government site and the organization reports are sources you wouldn't find in a typical library database. On the other hand, the library databases provide you quick access to full text peer reviewed journal articles as well as popular sources like newspapers. In this way, using sources on the Web and sources from the library complement each other.

Depending upon the information you are seeking, sometimes starting with one over the other will achieve better results.